Automatic switch



Feb. 18, 1964 v E. F. w. BLU'IvIE 3,121,776

AUTOMATIC swITcH Filed sept. 9, 1959 s sheds-sheet 1 w "v N n A. T l I+ H IIIIIIIIIIIIIII T L f N un 2 m INVENTOR. ERHARD FW 5L UME www/mw Feb. 18, 1964 E. F. w. BLUME 3,121,776

AUTOMATIC swITcH Filed sept. s, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IVS INVENTOR. E/QHARD F W BLUME /Md/MQ/w AroPNEs/s Feb. 18, 1964 E. F. w. BLUME 3,121,776

AUTOMATIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 9, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ERHRD FW BLUME A TTOP/VEVS United States Patent O 3,121,776 AUTMATEC SWETCH Erhard F. W. Blume, @arios Garcia, Prana Clovis Bevilagua 131, ll, Sno Panic, Brazil Filed Sept. 9, 1959, Ser. No. @9,8491 Claims priority, application Brazil Sept.. 10, 1958 1 Claim. (Cl. 26d- 102) The present invention relates to an electroaautomatic switch. e

The present invention is concerned particularly with the simplilication of complicated circuits of electroautomatically operating devices in order to simplify and to combine the operation of dierent switching elem-ents. By such arrangement, an increased #operational safety is brought about.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electro-automatic switch which operates electromagnetically and comprises an immovable part and a movable part with mechanically or magnetically enforced rest or step positions brought about by units of ferro-magnetic poles, the attracting and repelling moment of which brings about the moving powers in one or the other direction upon excitation by feeding electric current or electrical current pulses of reversible polarity or phase.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electro-magnetic switch of the type set forth above, in which the ferro-magnetic elements rnay be arranged linearly or circularly. The effect of the switch as an independent step switch in either direction resides in the particular pole far-rangement of electro-magnets in such a manner that for each step the attracting and the repelling moment, respectively, of four magnetic poles is used. This basic arrangement leads to different applications.

If one part of a switch has pole pairs, the poles of which are ione step apart, the magnetic llux operates in substantially diagonal direction onto the oppositely disposed poles of opposite sign and ontoy the pole ends of the same signs of the electro-magnets of the other part of the switch. The direction of movement of the two switch parts is determined by the change 'of polarity of the electro-magnets of the one part, since the oppositely disposed poles of the same sign are repelled and the oppositely disposed poles of opposite sign -are attracted. The change of polarity is brought4 about by reversal of the exciting current from a current source which is only conditionally dependent upon .the switch, or which is entirely independent. The movable part of the switch has a brush -by lwhich the electrical current for the exciting coils co-ordinated to the magnets of each unit is switched on or off :at the proper moment, so that the movable poles may jump over the attracting counterpoles at each step until the next resting position is reached. The resting position may be obtained by rnechanical, electro-magnetical or permanent magnetical means.

1f the units of one switch part consist of electromagnets with poles of the same sign, yet set off tor one switching step and the polarity of said poles is Vreversible by `directie'n-clianging exciting current, the pair of poles of the other switch part may be of permanent magnetic nature, achieving the same result. 'f

The commutator may be eliminated and 'one switch part may consist of polarity-free iron pieces, if the excitement of the poles of reversible polarity of the other switch part, which poles move in the same direction and are of the same sign, is brought about by current pulses of `an independent energy source. The jumping movement tof the movable poles, passing the counter-poles, and from resting position to resting position, is achieved by the pulsating magnetic ux. The. direction of mover 3,l2l,775 Patented Feb. 18, 1964 Z ment is enforced by inductive ycoupling of the exciting spool having changing polarity with a second iron-free coil of constant polarity, which is coordinated to the switch part having polarity-free iron pieces.

For the practical Voltage control, the movable part of the switch is coupled with the brush of a contact bridge. This contact bridge comprises a selective number of electrically conducting pairs of bars, which 'are connected with a voltage divider or the terminals of a transformer coil, as well as of a U-shaped metal brush with layers of a material which is not well conducting. The dimensions of the brush Kand the distance of the pairs of bars are of such proportions, that no interruption of the current flow takes place during reversal, since la bridging moment is present. A direct short between two pairs of bars at the rnoment of reversal .is prevented by this resista-nce bridge. Furthermore, .in the resting position of the brush no voltage loss is encountered, since now a contact of maximum conductivity is given. The mechanical resting position is achieved by the pressure of the resilient bars which Iare disposed in corresponding recesses of the U-shaped brush.

In the application set forth above, .the control impulse for the movable part is produced by the direction-changing current. This current flow may be achieved by two different voltages :and may consist of a phase-changing or polarity-changing and voltage-changing energy source, respectively. s

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in the fol-lowing detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a schematic showing of a first embodiment of the automatic switch;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of la second embodimen-t of the automatic switch in which the resting positions are obtained by magnetic means;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing of a third embodiment of the `automatic switch without commutator;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the contact bridge for feeding current without interruption;

FIG. 5 is a perspective iront view of the automatic step switch arranged around a circular d-isc and designed in accordance with the principle disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the driving portion of the automatic `step switch designed in accordance with the principle dis-closed in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of the driving portion of the automatic step switch designed in accordance with the principle disclosed in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. l, the automatic step switch comprises a movable part 1 having poles 2 of the same sign which are eX- cited by a direction-changing electric current and which bring about a control pulse. The direction of movement is changed upon change of the polarity of the movable part 1, while the polarity of each pole pair 3` coordinated to each unit of the immovable magnet 4 remains constant. The dotted line indicates schematically the coupling of the movable part 1 With a commutator 5 by means of which an exciting coil 6 of the immovable part 4 is switched over. The movable part 1 moves by mechanical means from one resting position 7 to another.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which discloses a second embodiment of the automatic switch, the immovable part 4' has magnet poles 2f of the same polarity, which is lchanged by the direction-changing exciting electric current, while the polarity of the movable magnet 1' remains here constant. The connection of the movable part 1 with the commutator 5 is shown in dotted line, the commutator 5 serving the purpose to switch over the exciting coils 6 of the immovable part 4. In this embodiment, the respective resting positions 7 are thus obtained by magnetic means. g g

Referring now to FIG. 3, which discloses a third embodiment of the automatic switch, the structure is shown Without using a commutator. The excitement of the pole pair 22 co-ordinated to the movable part 12 is ybrought about by current pulses. The direction-changing exciting current brings about the control pulse for the direction of movement. This is brought about here, however, by induction means, by using a coil 82 co-ordinated to the immovable part 42, which coil 82 is excited independently with a constant electric current. The ferro-magnetic poles 32 of the immovable part 42 are not excited and are without polarity. The resting position 72 is obtained by mechanical means and the excitement of the coil 92 is obtained by current pulses from a suitable energy source.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the elements of the contact bridge are disclosed for taking up current without interruption. The contact bridge comprises a U-shaped metal brush a which has lateral layers of less-conducting material b. The brush a is retained in its resting position between a resilient pair of plates c made of good conducting material and moves in steps driven by the step switch. The slightly bent plates c have a lug d which brings about the mechanical resting position and and the plates c are electrically connected with the voltage divider e.

Referring now to FIG. of the drawings, which discloses a perspective View of a practical embodiment of the automatic step switch applying the principle disclosed in FIG. l, and in particular applied to a circular arrangement, wherein, however, the movable part 1 has been exchanged with the immovable part 4. 7 As may be easily ascertained, the movable part 1 consists of a rotatable disc made of insulating material which supports Vthe other elements set forth below. Electromagnets with changeable polarity 2 are mounted on the movable part 1 which are movable between a permanent magnet 4 of constant polarity having a pair of poles 3. A commutator or brush 5 engages the outer face of the movable part 1. The electro-magnets 2 are equipped with exciter coils 6 and a plurality of resting positions may be obtained by means of the contact bridge designed in accordance with the showing of FIG. 4.

A brush 10 is provided for feeding electric current to the contact rail in order to feed exciting current to the coils 6 and a second brush 11 is arranged for feeding electric current to the contact bar y16 in order to feed electric current to the member a of the contact bridge. A brush 12 of the commutator 5 provides the other terminal for feeding electric current to the exciting coils 6. A bracket 13- supports the immovable part of the switch, while a supporting strip 14 of insulating material is provided to support the members c of the contact bridge. The U-shaped member a of the contact bridge is shown in FIG. 5 in one of a plurality of resting positions. The U-shaped member has, as stated above, lateral layers of material of less conductivity. The oppositely disposed curved plates c provide the resting positions for the yU-shaped member a, which plates c are equipped for this purpose with -a lug, in this way permitting feeding of current in the respective resting positions. The current for the respective positions to the contact bridge are taken from an autotransformer e.

`FIG. 5 indicates quite clearly that two exciting current circuits are required for the drive of the automatic step switch applying the principle disclosed in FIG. 1. The iirst circuit includes an energy source of constant voltage for feeding current to the coil of the immovable magnet and creating the pole pairs 3. A second energy source with changeable voltage up to the zero point, as well as with exchangeable polarity in case of direct current and exchangeable phase in case of alternating current is provided. The latter energy source brings about the movement and control pulse for the movable part of the switch. closes the circuit through one pair of the electro-magnets 2 only. The actual step switch which operates without interruption by the working circuit comprises the elements a, b, c, d, e, 11 and 16. An interruption of current flow is prevented in such a manner that the U-shaped brush a. connects two pairs of plates c at the time of switching over, without, however, causing a short, since such short is prevented by the electrical resistance of the lateral layer b of lesser conductivity.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, it will be readily found that an application of the principle disclosed schematically in FIG. 2 is applied here for a speciiic structure in which, however, for purpose of simpliiication, a circular arrangement has been chosen and in which the ferro-magnetic members of the movable part 1 has been exchanged with those of the immovable part 4.

The movable part 1 comprises a rotatable disc of insulating material which operates as a carrier lfor the other elements referred to below. The movable part 1 carries the magnets v2 of equal polarity, however, with exchangeable polarity and which are set of, while an immovable magnet 4 is arranged which carries a pair of poles 3 of constant polarity. A commutator 5 is again provided for the same purpose as described in connection with FIG. 5. The electro-magnets 2 are equipped with exciting coils 6 and a plurality of resting positions 7 is arranged, which resting positions are brought about by an iron anchor co-ordinated to the movable part 1 and retained in position by the permanent magnet P which is immovably mounted. A brush 10 is also provided for feeding electric current to the electric rail 15 while the terminal 12 of the commutator 5f serves the purpose to feed current to the exciting coil 6. A bracket 13 is arranged for support of the immovable magnet 4. From the showing in FIG.' 6, it may easily be ascertained that the driving part of the automatic step switch, using the principle disclosed in FIG. 2, requires merely one exciter current circuit. The energy source permits of a change of the voltage down to the zero point, as well as changeable polarity in case of direct current and reversible phase in case of alternating current. This energy source provides the movement and control pulse for the movable part 1 of the switch.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, it will be found that only the driving part is shown in a practical application of the principle disclosed in FIG. 3 of the drawing, where again a circular arrangement has been chosen and the ferro-magnetic elements of the movable part have been exchanged with those of the immovable part. In particular, the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7 comprises a movable part 12 which comprises two rotatable discs connected together and consisting of insulating material on which the other elements set forth below are mounted. Since the element for the working circuit are the same as those in FIG. 5 for the sake of clarity they have been omitted in this ligure and for the same reason the resting positions "7 have been left out. The discs 12 carry the magnets 32 without polarity, while an electromagnet with exchangeable polarity is ydisposed Vbetween the discs 12, so that the magnet 32 moves along the magnet 22. The magnets 22 are part of an immovable magnet 42. An exciting coil `S2 is arranged as part of the movable part 12 and is fed from the energy source having constant polarity or phase. A second exciting coil 92 is provided, which is secured to the immovable part 42 and is fed from a second energy source having changeable polarity. A Fbrush `102 is arranged yfor feeding electric current to the rail -152 of one of the discs, While a second brush 112 is provided to feed electric current to a rail 162 provided on the other disc. A bracket 132 is also here arranged for proper support of the immovable magnet 42 The commutator 5 alwaysV and it may be easily ascertained that for the arrangement of FIG. 7 `applying Jthe principle disclosed in FlG. 3, two exciting current circuits are required, namely, a first energy source of constant voltage for feeding of the coil 82 and a second energy source for current pulses with exchangeable yvoltage and/or reversible polarity in case of direct current and of reversible phase in case of alternating current for feeding of the other coil. lt may be also readily ascertained that the commutator 5 as Well as the exciting coils 6 for the magnet poles 2 may be eliminated.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only and not in -a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and the claim.

I claim:

An automatic switch comprising an immovable housing;

means mounting a member -for movement relative to said housing;

means defining a plurality of step positions including a plurality of pairs oaf resilient bars With a central mouth spaced apart from each other in said housing and spaced -from said member;

electromagnetic means associated with said member causing a step-Wise movement of said member in opposite directions, said electromagnetic means cornprising a plurality of ferromagnetic elements including coils, each of the latter having poles of changeable polarity, said poles being spaced apart at a distance equal with the length of the steps of said member;

means for interrupting periodically the excitement of said coils of said ferromagnetic elements; and

a contact bridge free of interruptions mounted on said member, said contact bridge comprising a U-shaped metal brush having lateral layers of low conductive material, said contact bridge effecting at the switching moment a lresistance bridge between the bridged resilient Fbars to provide a lossfree current in the step positions.

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